Everton 3-1 West Ham: Louis Saha bags a brace as Everton sink Hammers

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It might be assumed that the most formidable obstacle facing Everton is how to overcome a multitalented and hugely experienced Chelsea in the FA Cup final in two weeks' time.

In reality, the most difficult exercise will come in the long-term - when they try to keep hold of gifted manager David Moyes.

There is a school of thought that Moyes is a successor-inwaiting for a fellow Glaswegian down the M62 who guided Manchester United to the Premier League title a few hours before Everton completed their home programme with the perfect send-off for Wembley.

When Sir Alex Ferguson finally decides to call it a day,

Moyes must be a candidate to replace him. What he has achieved in seven years on a limited budget at Goodison Park makes highly-impressive reading.

Take Steven Pienaar. He is a graduate of the highly-rated Ajax academy, and after he moved to Borussia Dortmund many clubs looked at him with a view to buy. They hesitated. Moyes acted.

His judgement was proved right as Pienaar tormented a gallant West Ham team into submission and ended their European dream with a superb virtuoso performance. "He has certainly stepped up to the plate," said Moyes.

True, West Ham can point to a 37th-minute incident that changed what could have been an unexpected away win into a comfortable home success.

Gianfranco Zola's team were leading thanks to a stunning strike from Czech international Radoslav Kovac in the 24th minute. From fully 30 yards, Kovac cracked a swerving shot past Tim Howard.

The travelling Hammers were joyous, and in mischievous mood, as they sensed a win that would keep their European dreams alive.

The extravagant hairstyle of Marouane Fellaini was described in song as a bird's nest - but it all fell quiet when James Tomkins was judged by referee Phil Dowd to have brought down Tim Cahill - another Moyes bargain-buy who has come good.

Dowd sent off Tomkins and Louis Saha converted the penalty. "Maybe he could have shown a yellow card," said Zola.

"The penalty changed the game." But Zola can feel satisfied with the progress at West Ham under his tenure which was reflected in the failure to grab a European place when mere survival in the Premier League was his initial remit.

Everton, though, are Europebound, and their intent to finish on a high and go to Wembley with a winning mentality shone through.

"It is a credit to them that there has been no let-up," said Moyes.

Within three minutes of the restart, West Ham's reshuffled defence was found wanting when the ball from a corner was allowed to fall to Joseph Yobo who drilled it home.

Everton sealed the game 14 minutes from time when Pienaar left Jonathan Spector dizzy and crossed for Saha to score the third.

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